Electronic betting and gaming system

ABSTRACT

An electronic betting and gaming system for use with telecommunication means, particularly data networks, in which a user&#39;s block ( 1 ) is connected by means of a sales outlet block ( 2 ) to a start-up package block ( 3 ) comprising a payment card block ( 4 ) and a deposit coupon block ( 5 ), and in which the user&#39;s block ( 1 ) is connected by a communication means ( 6 ), through the telecommunications service provider&#39;s block ( 14 ), to the telecommunications information centre ( 7 ) of the service provider&#39;s block ( 8 ). Between the user&#39;s block ( 1 ) and the service provider&#39;s block ( 8 ), there is a means ( 9 ) for identifying the user&#39;s block ( 1 ) by means of his PIN code of his payment card block ( 4 ) and also by means of a voice print and/or a biometric print of part of his body and, in order to carrry out the transaction, the service provider&#39;s block ( 8 ) is further connected to a deposit account block ( 10 ), a gaming account block ( 11 ) and a winnings account block ( 12 ). Between the service provider&#39;s block ( 8 ) and the communication means ( 6 ), there is a block ( 17 ) for determining the geographic location of a user&#39;s block ( 1 ). Between the service provider&#39;s block ( 8 ) and the communication means ( 6 ), there is a block (18) for determining the time in a given geographic location of a user&#39;s block ( 1 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technical solution as filed involves the arrangement of an electronic betting and gaming system for use with telecommunication means, particularly data networks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

With electronic and conventional betting and gaming systems, some users, particularly among the young and psychologically less resilient, may become dependent upon betting or gaming to a point where their reasonable payment capacity is impaired. That can lead to undesirable consequences for the users and their environment, with disruptions in their payment ability and cash flow. A further problem can be the use of equipment in places where, and at certain times when betting and gaming are not allowed. The goal of the technical solution as filed, using standard electronic means for communication between the user and the service provider, is to create protection for the user which would at least limit such undesirable effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical solution involves an electronic betting and gaming system by telecommunication means, particularly data networks, in which a user's block is connected by means of a sales outlet block to a start-up package block comprising a payment card block and a deposit coupon block, and in which the user's block is connected by a communication means, through the telecommunications service provider's block, to the telecommunications information centre of the service provider's block. The basis of the technical solution lies in the fact that, between the user's block and the service provider's block, there is a means for identifying the user's block by means of the PIN code of his payment card block and also by means of a voice print and/or a biometric print of part of the body, for example his finger or face, and in order to carry out the transaction, the service provider's block is further connected to a deposit account block, a gaming account block and a winnings account block. Between the service provider's block and the communication means there can be a block for determining the geographic location of a user's block, or a block for determining the time in a given geographic location of a user's block.

The deposit account block, gaming account block and/or winnings account block can be arranged in the service provider's block. Likewise, the block for determining the geographic location of a user's block and/or the block for determining the time in a given geographic location of a user's block can be arranged in the service provider's block.

The user's block can be connected to a unique identifying deposit number block in the service provider's block. The gaming account block is connected to the deposit account block, and it can also be connected to a winnings subaccount block connected to the payment card block and the cash dispenser. The communications means comprises the end device for the user, selected from the group including a portable computer, desktop computer, telephone, mobile telephone, PDA pocket computer, gaming console etc. Between the user's block and the service provider's block there can be a data interface for communication.

The electronic betting and gaming system makes it possible to assess the age of a participant and, to a certain extent also, his personal characteristics and ability to pay. Alternatively, it is possible to achieve these objectives through a combination of operator and telecommunication means, for example by comparing voice patterns or the age of a participant. To monitor the cash flow, a subaccount of the system operator can be used for deposit and withdrawal of money by the user. In order to protect the payment ability of the participant, the system can restrict entries to the use of deposit coupons, which must be purchased in the sales outlets of the operator. The electronic betting and gaming system can be operated with both instant and deferred prizes. The attention of the participant is drawn to the expenses incurred in the electronic game. On the arrival of a new participant, a voice print or other biometric print can be registered, at the sales outlet for example, for the purposes of later identification. Another advantage is the great variety of possible gaming deposit means, by gaming coupons, payment into an operator's account or subaccount, by mobile or fixed line telephones and ISP data connections to the operator, by transfer from a third party, by payment card, third party coupons etc. Likewise there is a great variety in the possible gaming deposits that can be selected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more precise explanation of the technical solution is provided by the drawing, which shows a block diagram of the electronic betting and gaming system.

EXAMPLES OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A person interested in participating in the electronic betting and gaming system, designated as user's block 1, buys a start-up package, designated as start-up package block 3, in the sales outlet block 2 of the operator. The start-up package block 3 consists of a payment card block with PIN code 4, and can also comprise a deposit coupon (deposit coupon block 5) for a certain amount of money and a game plan and general information concerning the betting or gaming system. Before concluding the sale, the sales outlet block 2 of the operator checks the future user, particularly the age of the user and other gaming prerequisites to ensure compliance with the legal norms of the state in which the system is operated. If the transaction is implemented, the user's block 1 is connected to the telecommunication information centre 7 of the operator's system, which can be located in the service provider's block 8, or even outside this block. The user gives the information centre 7 the number or alphanumeric identification mentioned in the payment card block with PIN code 4, identifies himself with the PIN code and at the same time, under the supervision of the staff of the operator's sales outlet, records a voice sample or provides a biometric print of his finger, eye (cornea or retina) face or other part of the body. The information centre 7, by means of the block 17 for determining the geographic location of a user's block and the block 18 for determining the time in a given geographic location of a user's block 1, checks whether the operation of the communication means 6 is allowed in a given place and also whether it is allowed in a given place at a certain time. After this identification, the user can put money from the deposit coupon block 5 into his deposit account in the system, that is into the deposit account block 10. This confidential information is protected by security services or secured transfers of the TTP (Trusted Third Party), PTP (Point-To-Point) type for example, which guarantees the confidentiality of the source and of the participant's identity and ensures the integrity of the gaming data.

After putting a certain amount of money into the system, the user's block 1 selects the desired type of service and transfers part of that amount or the whole of it from the deposit account block 10 into the gaming account block 11 (or the betting account). Once the money has been received by the system (for example by the service provider's block 8), the user's block 1 can be informed, by the unique identifying deposit number block 15 in the service provider's block 8, of this unique identifying number, which serves to identify the specific session of participation in the system in the event, for example, of deferred winnings, or in case the user interrupts the connection with the system in the course of a gaming or betting sessopm, or a discrepancy occurs and the user does not agree with the progress of the round. After finishing the game, any winnings are transferred from the gaming account block 11 (or the betting account) to the winnings account block 12, the gaming account block 11 is set at zero again and the user can once more transfer part or the whole amount into the deposit account block 10 or exclusively into the winnings subaccount block 16. From the winnings subaccount block 16, the user's block 1 can then withdraw cash by means of the payment card block 4 and the cash dispenser 13. If he wants to make another deposit into the game, he must buy a deposit coupon (deposit coupon block 5) in the operator's sales outlet block 2, which he can use for putting money into the deposit account block 10. The user can have access to a telecommunications information centre 7, through which he can participate in the gaming or betting system, and he can also lodge complaints here or change the customer details. A further possibility for control of the data and participation in the system is through the data interface through which, after the usual identification, the user's block 1 can carry out the same operations as through the telecommunications information centre 7. During the whole period, the communication means 6 of the user's block 1 can be checked by the block 17 for determining the geographic location of a user's block 1, as to whether or not it is located in a place where its operation is allowed or limited to certain times. If the predetermined criteria for location and time are not met, the game will be halted. Thus casinos, for example, will be allowed to operate games outside the gaming room only in designated areas where they can be watched by means of GPS (outside) or RFID (inside), and where they are connected to the server by a scanner. Provided the server recognizes the RFID number of the communication means 6, it will allow the given terminal to operate the game. It can also be related to time restrictions, for example gaming may only be possible at certain times, not on public holidays etc.

The communication means 6 comprises the end device or intelligent end device, or programmable end device for the user, for example a portable computer, desktop computer, telephone, mobile telephone, PDA pocket computer, gaming console etc. The service provider's block 8 can include a server with a function for automatically identifying or reproducing human speech. Communication between the user's block 1 and the service provider's block 8 can also be carried out by means of an operator, who can transfer the data into the system, and can also refuse participation if the appraisal parameters of the user's current deposits suggest that further participation could jeopardize his payment capacity. The electronic betting and gaming system allows for the deposit of money into the system by means of various coupons, payments through a telecommunications operator (telecommunications service provider's block 14) from the participant's telecommunications fee or by means of special services, for example by SMS payment, and also by payments on the participant's account or payment card. Money can be deposited into the system by the insertion of the participant's bank accounts, which are subaccounts of the system operator (service provider's block 8).

As is clear from the above, to operate the system both a voice connection and a data connection can be used, transfer of data can be carried out by means of SMS (Short Messages) or USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) between the end devices. To identify the user's block 1 or his end device (communication means 6) a unique number stored in a SIM card is used, or an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identifier) or an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) or other identification stored in the hardware of the communications device. 

1. An electronic betting and gaming system for use with telecommunication means, particularly data networks, in which a user's block is connected by means of a sales outlet block to a start-up package block comprising a payment card block and a deposit coupon block, and in which the user's block is connected by a communication means, through the telecommunications service provider's block, to the telecommunications information center of the service provider's block, characterised in that, between the user's block and the service provider's block, there is a means for identifying the user's block by means of his PIN code of his payment card block and also by means of a voice print and/or a biometric print of part of his body and, in order to carrry out the transaction, the service provider's block is further connected to a deposit account block, a gaming account block and a winnings account block.
 2. An electronic betting and gaming system according to claim 1, wherein, between the service provider's block and the communication means, there is a block for determining the geographic location of a user's block.
 3. An electronic betting and gaming system according to claim 1, wherein, between the service provider's block and the communication means, there is a block for determining the time in a given geographic location of a user's block.
 4. An electronic betting and gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the deposit account block, gaming account block and/or winnings account block are arranged in the service provider's block.
 5. An electronic betting and gaming system according to claim 4, wherein a block for determining the geographic location of a user's block and/or a block for determining the time in a given geographic location of a user's block are arranged in the service provider's block.
 6. An electronic betting and gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the user's block is connected to a unique identifying deposit number block in the service provider's block.
 7. An electronic betting and gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the gaming account block is connected to the deposit account block.
 8. An electronic betting and gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the gaming account block is connected to a winnings subaccount block connected to the payment card block and a cash dispenser.
 9. An electronic betting and gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the communication means comprises the end device for the user, selected from the group including a portable computer, desktop computer, telephone, mobile telephone, PDA pocket computer and gaming console.
 10. An electronic betting and gaming system according to claim 1, wherein there is a data interface for communication between the user's block and the service provider's block. 